Wind turbine rotor blade assembly with surface features

ABSTRACT

Rotor blade assemblies for wind turbines are provided. A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade. In some embodiments, the rotor blade assembly further includes a surface feature configured on an exterior surface of the rotor blade, the surface feature having an exterior mounting surface. At least a portion of the exterior mounting surface has a contour in an uninstalled state that is different from a curvature of the exterior surface of the rotor blade at a mount location of the surface feature on the rotor blade. In other embodiments, the rotor blade assembly further includes a seal member surrounding at least a portion of a perimeter of the surface feature. The seal member contacts and provides a transition between the exterior surface and the surface feature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates in general to wind turbines, and morespecifically to rotor blade assemblies therefor which include varioussurface features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentallyfriendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines havegained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbinetypically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or morerotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind usingknown airfoil principles. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energyin the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling therotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to thegenerator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy toelectrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.

Rotor blades are the primary elements of wind turbines for convertingwind energy into electrical energy. The blades have the cross-sectionalprofile of an airfoil such that, during operation, air flows over theblade producing a pressure difference between the sides. Consequently, alift force, which is directed from a pressure side towards a suctionside, acts on the blade. The lift force generates torque on the mainrotor shaft, which is geared to the generator for producing electricity.

Various surface features may be provided on the exterior surfaces of arotor blade in order to modify flow characteristics, liftcharacteristics, etc. of the rotor blade. For example, vortex generatorsmay be utilized to reduce flow separation during operation of a rotorblade. Noise reducers may be utilized to reduce noise generated by thewind flow over and away from a rotor blade. Winglets may be utilized toincrease lift at the tip of a rotor blade. Root enhancers may beutilized to increase lift at the root of a rotor blade.

Such surface features are mounted to rotor blades using various mountingtechniques or apparatus. Conventionally known mounting techniques andapparatus may, however, have various disadvantages. For example, in somecases, conventional mounting may not adequately mount the surfacefeatures at their perimeter edges to the rotor blades. This can causedebris, such as dirt, moisture, etc. to become embedded between thesurface feature and rotor blade, potentially damaging both the surfacefeature and rotor blade and/or causing further separation of the surfacefeature and rotor blade. Further, conventionally known mountingtechniques do not provide a transition, and rather provide an abruptstep, between the exterior surface of the rotor blade and the surfacefeature. Thus, the use of such surface features may result inaerodynamic performance and efficiency losses.

Accordingly, improved rotor blade assemblies are desired in the art. Inparticular, rotor blades having improved bonding and sealing featureswould be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one embodiment, a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine isdisclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade havingexterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leadingedge, and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. Therotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assemblyfurther includes a surface feature configured on an exterior surface ofthe rotor blade, the surface feature having an exterior mountingsurface. At least a portion of the exterior mounting surface has acontour in an uninstalled state that is different from a contour of theexterior surface of the rotor blade at a mount location of the surfacefeature on the rotor blade.

In another embodiment, a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine isdisclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade havingexterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leadingedge, and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. Therotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assemblyfurther includes a seal member surrounding at least a portion of aperimeter of the surface feature. The seal member contacts and providesa transition between the exterior surface and the surface feature.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a rotor blade assembly according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature, in an uninstalledstate, and a rotor blade according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature in an installedstate on a rotor blade according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature, in an uninstalledstate, and a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature in an installedstate on a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature, in an uninstalledstate, and a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature in an installedstate on a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature, in an uninstalledstate, and a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature in an installedstate on a rotor blade according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a surface feature in aninstalled state on a rotor blade according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a plurality of surface features configured on arotor blade according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a surface feature configured on arotor blade according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine 10 of conventional construction. Thewind turbine 10 includes a tower 12 with a nacelle 14 mounted thereon. Aplurality of rotor blades 16 are mounted to a rotor hub 18, which is inturn connected to a main flange that turns a main rotor shaft. The windturbine power generation and control components are housed within thenacelle 14. The view of FIG. 1 is provided for illustrative purposesonly to place the present invention in an exemplary field of use. Itshould be appreciated that the invention is not limited to anyparticular type of wind turbine configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a rotor blade 16 according to the presentdisclosure may include exterior surfaces defining a pressure side 22 anda suction side 24 extending between a leading edge 26 and a trailingedge 28. These surfaces may extend from a blade tip 32 to a blade root34. The exterior surfaces may be generally aerodynamic surfaces havinggenerally aerodynamic contours, as is generally known in the art.

In some embodiments, the rotor blade 16 may include a plurality ofindividual blade segments aligned in an end-to-end order from the bladetip 32 to the blade root 34. Each of the individual blade segments maybe uniquely configured so that the plurality of blade segments define acomplete rotor blade 16 having a designed aerodynamic profile, length,and other desired characteristics. For example, each of the bladesegments may have an aerodynamic profile that corresponds to theaerodynamic profile of adjacent blade segments. Thus, the aerodynamicprofiles of the blade segments may form a continuous aerodynamic profileof the rotor blade 16. Alternatively, the rotor blade 16 may be formedas a singular, unitary blade having the designed aerodynamic profile,length, and other desired characteristics.

The rotor blade 16 may, in exemplary embodiments, be curved. Curving ofthe rotor blade 16 may entail bending the rotor blade 16 in a generallyflapwise direction and/or in a generally edgewise direction. Theflapwise direction may generally be construed as the direction (or theopposite direction) in which the aerodynamic lift acts on the rotorblade 16. The edgewise direction is generally perpendicular to theflapwise direction. Flapwise curvature of the rotor blade 16 is alsoknown as pre-bend, while edgewise curvature is also known as sweep.Thus, a curved rotor blade 16 may be pre-bent and/or swept. Curving mayenable the rotor blade 16 to better withstand flapwise and edgewiseloads during operation of the wind turbine 10, and may further provideclearance for the rotor blade 16 from the tower 12 during operation ofthe wind turbine 10.

The rotor blade 16 may further define chord 42 and a span 44. As shownin FIG. 2, the chord 42 may vary throughout the span 44 of the rotorblade 16. Thus, a local chord 46 may be defined for the rotor blade 16at any point on the rotor blade 16 along the span 44. Further, a maximumchord 48 may be defined at a predetermined span-wise location on therotor blade 16.

Additionally, the rotor blade 16 may define an inboard area 52 and anoutboard area 54. The inboard area 52 may be a span-wise portion of therotor blade 16 extending from the root 34. For example, the inboard area52 may, in some embodiments, include approximately 25%, 33%, 40%, 50%,60%, 67%, 75% or any percentage or range of percentages therebetween, orany other suitable percentage or range of percentages, of the span 44from the root 34. The outboard area 54 may be a span-wise portion of therotor blade 16 extending from the tip 32, and may in some embodimentsinclude the remaining portion of the rotor blade 16 between the inboardarea 52 and the tip 32. Additionally or alternatively, the outboard area54 may, in some embodiments, include approximately 25% 33%, 40%, 50%,60%, 67%, 75% or any percentage or range of percentages therebetween, orany other suitable percentage or range of percentages, of the span 44from the tip 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 13, the present disclosure may furtherbe directed to one or more rotor blade assemblies 100. A rotor bladeassembly 100 according to the present disclosure generally includes arotor blade 16. Further, a rotor blade assembly 100 includes one or moresurface features 102. Each surface feature 102 is configured on asurface of the rotor blade 16. A surface feature 102 is generally acomponent added to a surface of the rotor blade 16 to modify flowcharacteristics, lift characteristics, etc. of the rotor blade 16. Forexample, a surface feature may be a vortex generator 110. A plurality ofvortex generators 110 are illustrated configured on the suction side ofthe rotor blade 16. Vortex generators 110 may be utilized to reduce flowseparation during operation of a rotor blade 16. In some embodiments, avortex generator 110 may be generally fin-like, as shown. Alternatively,a vortex generator 110 may have any suitable shape.

Additionally or alternatively, a surface feature 102 may be a noisereducer 112. A noise reducer 112 is illustrated configured on thesuction side 24 and extending from the trailing edge 28 of the rotorblade 16. Noise reducers 112 may be utilized to reduce noise generatedby the wind flow over and away from a rotor blade 16. In someembodiments, a noise reducer 112 may include a plurality of serrations,as shown. Additionally or alternatively, a noise reducer 112 may includea plurality of bristles, or have any other suitable shape and/orconfiguration.

Further, a surface feature 102 may be a winglet 114. A winglet 114 isillustrated configured on the pressure side 22, suction side 24, leadingedge 26, and trailing edge 28 of the rotor blade 16, and further in theembodiment illustrated defines the tip 32 of the rotor blade 16.Winglets 114 may be utilized to increase lift at the tip 32 of a rotorblade 16.

Still further, a surface feature 102 may be a root enhancer 116 or othersuitable chord extension apparatus. A root enhancer 116 is illustratedconfigured on the pressure side 22, suction side 24, and trailing edge28 of the rotor blade 16, and is disposed proximate the root 34. Rootenhancers 116 may be utilized to increase lift at the root 34 of a rotorblade 16.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited tothe above disclosed surface features 102. Rather, any suitable device orapparatus configured on a surface of a rotor blade 16 is within thescope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 13, various features and apparatus areprovided for mounting a surface feature 102 to a rotor blade 16, andspecifically to an exterior surface thereof. It should be understoodthat while these figures illustrate vortex generators 110 being mountedto rotor blades 16, these surface feature 102 embodiments are beingillustrated for illustrative purposes only. The mounting features andapparatus disclosed herein similarly apply to any suitable surfacefeature 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 10, various mounting arrangements areillustrated for surface features 102 configured on exterior surfaces ofrotor blades 16. FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9 illustrate surface features 102 inuninstalled states, while FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10 illustrate surfacefeatures 102 in installed states. In an uninstalled state, a surfacefeature 102 is generally not flexed or otherwise manipulated, while inan installed state, the surface feature 102 may be flexed or otherwisemanipulated into position on the rotor blade 16. As shown, a surfacefeature 102 may include an exterior mounting surface 122, which isgenerally a surface to be mounted to an exterior surface of the rotorblade 16, such as the suction side 24 as illustrated or another suitablesurface. The exterior mounting surface 122 may have a contour. Suchcontour may include, for example, a radius of curvature 124 and/orgenerally linear portion 125. The exterior surface, such as the suctionside 24 as illustrated or another suitable surface, may additionallyhave a contour, such as a radius of curvature 126 or angle (not shown).In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9, at least aportion of the contour of the exterior mounting surface 122 when in theuninstalled state may be different from the contour of the exteriorsurface at the mounting location of the surface feature 102 on the rotorblade 16. In other words, at least a portion of the contour of theexterior mounting surface 122 may not match the contour of the exteriorsurface to which that portion is to be mounted.

Such differential between the contours may advantageously facilitateimproved connection between the surface feature 102 and the rotor blade16, particularly at the periphery of the surface feature 102. Forexample, when a surface feature 102 is mounted to the rotor blade 16,the surface feature 102 may be flexed or otherwise manipulated from theuninstalled state to the installed state, as illustrated for example inFIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10. This allows portions of the surface feature 102other than at the periphery to be mounted to the rotor blade 16. Suchflexing or otherwise manipulating may advantageously cause opposingforces to be generated by the surface feature 102 generally at theperiphery, such that when the surface feature 102 is mounted to therotor blade 16, the connection at the periphery is advantageouslyimproved.

It should be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, the contour of theexterior mounting surface 122 in the uninstalled state and the contourof the exterior surface may be viewed and measured in an identicalcross-sectional view, such as those views illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 8, the contour of theexterior mounting surface 122 includes a radius of curvature 124. Theradius of curvature 124 may be constant throughout the exterior mountingsurface 122, such as in a cross-sectional view as shown, or may vary.FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate generally constant radii of curvature 124 inuninstalled states. FIG. 7 illustrates, in an uninstalled state, aradius of curvature 124 with local varying portions 127, which inexemplary embodiments as shown are peripheral portions which may extendaround the entire perimeter or any portion thereof. As discussed, atleast a portion of the radius of curvature 124 of the exterior mountingsurface 122, such as a local portion 127 or the entire radius ofcurvature 124, when in the uninstalled state may be different from thecontour of the exterior surface at the mounting location of the surfacefeature 102 on the rotor blade 16. Thus, a local portion 127 may bedifferent from that of the exterior surface at the location to which thelocal portion 127 is to be mounted, or the entire radius of curvature124 may be different from that of the exterior surface 124 at thelocation to which the exterior mounting surface 122 is to be mounted.

In some embodiments, the radius of curvature 124, 127 of the exteriormounting surface 122 in the uninstalled state may be less than theradius of curvature 126 of the exterior surface, as shown in FIGS. 3 and7. In other embodiments, the radius of curvature 124, 127 of theexterior mounting surface 122 in the uninstalled state may be greaterthan the radius of curvature 126 of the exterior surface, as shown inFIG. 5. Further, in some embodiments, both the exterior mounting surface122 in the uninstalled state and the exterior surface may be convex, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 7. In other embodiments, both the exterior mountingsurface 122 in the uninstalled state and the exterior surface may beconcave. In still other embodiment, the exterior mounting surface 122 inthe uninstalled state may be convex while the exterior surface isconcave, as shown in FIG. 5, or the exterior mounting surface 122 in theuninstalled state may be concave while the exterior surface is convex.

Further, it should be understood that for purposes of the presentdisclosure, a numerical radius of curvature for a convex curve isconsidered different from an identical numerical radius of curvature fora concave curve.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the contour of theexterior mounting surface 122 includes one or more generally linearportions 125. The generally linear portions 125 may, for example and asshown, be local generally linear portions, which in exemplaryembodiments as shown are peripheral portions which may extend around theentire perimeter or any portion thereof. Alternatively, the entireexterior mounting surface 122 may be linear when viewedcross-sectionally. The linear portions 125 may, for example, extend atsuitable angles as required for mounting to the rotor blade 16. Asdiscussed, the generally linear portions 125 of the exterior mountingsurface 122 when in the uninstalled state may be different from thecontour of the exterior surface at the mounting location of the surfacefeature 102 on the rotor blade 16. For example, the exterior surface atthe mounting location may be curvilinear, as shown, or may be linearhaving a different angle. Thus, a generally linear portion 125 may bedifferent from that of the exterior surface at the location to which thegenerally linear portion 125 is to be mounted.

A plurality of attachment features may be utilized to connect a surfacefeature 102 to a rotor blade 16, as illustrated for example, in FIGS. 3through 11 and 13. The plurality of attachment features may include, forexample, one or more first attachment features 130 located proximate theperimeter of the surface feature 102, such as at or slightly spaced fromthe perimeter, and one or more second attachment features 132 spacedfrom the perimeter of the surface feature 102 relative to the firstattachment features 130. In other words, the second attachment features132 may be farther from the perimeter than the first attachment features130. It should be noted that a first attachment feature 130 may extendabout the entire periphery of the surface feature 102, or multiple firstattachment features 132 may be utilized at various locations about theperiphery. In some embodiments, an attachment feature may be, forexample, a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, nail, rivet, nut-boltcombination, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, an attachment featuremay be a bond media, as shown. The bond media may be disposed betweenthe exterior mounting surface 122 and the exterior surface, and may bondthe surface feature 102 to the rotor blade 16.

In exemplary embodiments, a bond media according to the presentdisclosure may have various characteristics for reducing the strainassociated with mounting the surface feature 102 to the rotor blade 16.The bond media may thus at least partially absorb strain from the rotorblade 16 and prevent this strain from being transmitted to the surfacefeature 102. The bond media may thus generally be formed from materialsthat are relatively flexible and relatively tough. In exemplaryembodiments, the bond media may generally isolate the strain associatedwith the rotor blade 16. By generally isolating the strain, the bondmedia may generally prevent a relatively substantial portion of therotor blade 16 strain from being transmitted through the bond media tothe surface feature 102.

In exemplary embodiments, for example, the bond media may be relativelyelastic, and may thus have a relatively low shear modulus. The shearmodulus may be determined over suitable environmental conditions orranges of environmental conditions generally expected for a wind turbine10. For example, in some embodiments, the shear modulus of the bondmedia may be approximately equal to or less than 500 megapascals.

In some embodiments, the bond media may comprise an epoxy. In otherembodiments, the bond media may comprise a polyurethane. In otherembodiments, the bond media may comprise a methacrylate, such as methylmethacrylate. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the bond media mayinclude an acrylic.

FIG. 11 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the bond media accordingto the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the bond media maycomprise an inner layer 142 and a plurality of outer layers 144. Theinner layer 142 is disposed between the opposing outer layers 144. Theinner layer 142 may comprise, for example, an epoxy, a polyurethane, amethacrylate, or an acrylic. In exemplary embodiments, the inner layer142 is an acrylic foam. Further, the acrylic foam may be a closed cellacrylic foam. The outer layers 144 may generally be configured to mountthe surface feature 102 to the rotor blade 16. In exemplary embodiments,the outer layers 144 comprise adhesives and are outer adhesive layers144. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the outer layers 144may comprise acrylic adhesives.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 13, a surface feature 102 or plurality ofsurface features 102 in exemplary embodiments may further include a baseplate 150. The base plate 150 may be a lower portion of the surfacefeature 102 or surface features 102 that is mounted to the rotor blade16. Thus, the base plate 150 may include the exterior mounting surface122 for one or more surface features 102. The base plate 150 mayfurther, for example, include an exterior opposing surface 152 and aperipheral edge 154. The peripheral edge 154 may define the periphery ofthe base plate 150 and surface feature 102 in general. FIGS. 2 and 9illustrate base plates 150 utilized with single surface features 102,which as illustrated are vortex generators 110. FIG. 2 furtherillustrates a base plate 150 utilized with a plurality of surfacefeatures 102, such that the plurality of surface features 102 aremounting on and using a single base plate 150.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, a seal member 160 may be provided toprovide a seal between a surface feature 102 and the rotor blade 16. Theseal member 160 may surround at least a portion of the perimeter of thesurface feature 102, which may for example be defined by the peripheraledge 154 as discussed above. FIG. 12 illustrates a seal member 160surrounding an entire perimeter of a surface feature 102. The sealmember 160 may contact the exterior surface of the rotor blade 16, suchas the suction side 24 or other suitable surface, and may contact thesurface feature 102, such as the peripheral edge 154 or the perimetergenerally. Further, the seal member 160 may provide a transition betweenthe exterior surface and the surface feature 102. For example, as shown,the seal member 160 may provide a transition between the exteriorsurface and the exterior opposing surface 152 of the base plate 150.Such transition, by reducing or eliminating any abrupt step between theexterior surface and the surface feature 102, may advantageouslyincrease the associated aerodynamic performance and efficiency of thesurface feature 102, rotor blade assembly 100, and wind turbine 10 ingeneral.

As shown, for example, a seal member 160 may include a base surface 162,a top surface 164, and an outer edge 166 extending therebetween. Inexemplary embodiments, the outer edge 166 may be tapered between thebase surface 162 and the top surface 164. Such tapering is illustratedin a cross-sectional view as shown, for example, in FIG. 13. Further, insuch cross-sectional view, the outer edge 166 may be curvilinear asshown, linear, or have any other suitable path.

As discussed, the seal member 160 may provide a transition between theexterior surface and the exterior opposing surface 152. For example, asshown in FIG. 13, the outer edge 166 may taper towards the exterioropposing surface 152, thus providing a transition. Further, in exemplaryembodiments, the top surface 164 may be generally flush with theexterior opposing surface 152.

It should be noted that a seal member 160 may be mounted to the exteriorsurface and/or the surface feature 102 through any suitable attachmentfeatures. For example, mechanical fasteners or bond media, as discussedabove, may be utilized.

In exemplary embodiments, generally compliant materials may beadvantageous for use in forming a seal member 160. For example, a sealmember 160 may be formed from a rubber or silicon. Alternatively,however, any suitable material may be utilized to form a seal member160.

It should be noted that, in addition to or as an alternative to the useof the seal member 160, one or more surfaces of a surface feature 102may be chamfered or otherwise tapered to provide desired transitionalaerodynamic improvements. Such tapering may include, for example,radiusing, blending, and/or any other suitable linear, curvilinear,and/or other modifications in the transition of the surface(s) of thesurface feature 102. For example, a perimeter edge, or portion thereof,of a surface feature 102 may be chamfered or otherwise tapered. In someembodiments wherein a base plate 150 is utilized, the peripheral edge154 or a portion thereof may be chamfered or otherwise tapered, forexample from the exterior mounting surface 122 to the exterior opposingsurface 152. For example, a forward portion of the peripheral edge 154,generally relatively closest to the leading edge 26, may be chamfered orotherwise tapered, or alternatively the entire peripheral edge 154 maybe chamfered or otherwise tapered.

As discussed, rotor blade assemblies 100 and surface features 102thereof according to the present disclosure advantageously includeimproved bonding and sealing features. For example, a surface feature102 may include an exterior mounting surface 122 having a particularlyadvantageous contours relative to the exterior surface of the rotorblade 16 on which the surface feature is to be mounted. Further, sealmembers 160 may be utilized to seal and provide transitions between therotor blade 16 and the surface features 102. Such improved bonding andsealing features may advantageously reduce the amount of debris embeddedbetween the surface feature 102 and rotor blade 16. Further, the use ofseal members 160 which provide transitions as discussed herein mayadvantageously improve the associated aerodynamic performance andefficiency of the surface feature 102, rotor blade assembly 100, andwind turbine 10 in general.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, therotor blade assembly comprising: a rotor blade having exterior surfacesdefining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailingedge each extending between a tip and a root, the rotor blade furtherdefining a span and a chord; a surface feature configured on an exteriorsurface of the rotor blade, the surface feature having an exteriormounting surface, at least a portion of the exterior mounting surfacehaving a contour in an uninstalled state different from a contour of theexterior surface of the rotor blade at a mount location of the surfacefeature on the rotor blade; and a seal member surrounding at least aportion of a perimeter of the surface feature, the seal membercontacting and providing a transition between the exterior surface andthe surface feature.
 2. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, therotor blade assembly comprising: a rotor blade having exterior surfacesdefining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailingedge each extending between a tip and a root, the rotor blade furtherdefining a span and a chord; and a surface feature configured on anexterior surface of the rotor blade, the surface feature having anexterior mounting surface, at least a portion of the exterior mountingsurface having a contour in an uninstalled state different from acontour of the exterior surface of the rotor blade at a mount locationof the surface feature on the rotor blade.
 3. The rotor blade assemblyof claim 2, wherein the contour of the exterior mounting surfacecomprises a radius of curvature.
 4. The rotor blade assembly of claim 3,wherein the radius of curvature of the exterior mounting surface in theuninstalled state and the radius of curvature of the exterior surfaceare measured in an identical cross-sectional view.
 5. The rotor bladeassembly of claim 3, wherein the radius of curvature of the exteriormounting surface in the uninstalled state is less than the radius ofcurvature of the exterior surface.
 6. The rotor blade assembly of claim3, wherein the radius of curvature of the exterior mounting surface inthe uninstalled state is greater than the radius of curvature of theexterior surface.
 7. The rotor blade assembly of claim 2, wherein theradius of curvature is a local radius of curvature.
 8. The rotor bladeassembly of claim 2, wherein the contour of the exterior mountingsurface comprises a local generally linear portion.
 9. The rotor bladeassembly of claim 2, wherein the exterior mounting surface in theuninstalled state and the exterior surface are concave.
 10. The rotorblade assembly of claim 2, wherein the exterior mounting surface in theuninstalled state is concave and the exterior surface is convex.
 11. Therotor blade assembly of claim 2, further comprising a plurality ofattachment features connecting the surface feature to the rotor blade,the plurality of attachment features comprising a first attachmentfeature proximate a perimeter of the surface feature and a secondattachment feature spaced from the perimeter of the surface featurerelative to the first attachment feature.
 12. The rotor blade assemblyof claim 11, wherein the attachment feature is a bond media.
 13. Therotor blade assembly of claim 12, wherein the bond media comprises aninner acrylic foam layer disposed between opposing outer adhesivelayers.
 14. The rotor blade assembly of claim 2, wherein the surfacefeature comprises a base plate, the base plate comprising the exteriormounting surface.
 15. A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine, therotor blade assembly comprising: a rotor blade having exterior surfacesdefining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailingedge each extending between a tip and a root, the rotor blade furtherdefining a span and a chord; a surface feature configured on an exteriorsurface of the rotor blade; and a seal member surrounding at least aportion of a perimeter of the surface feature, the seal membercontacting and providing a transition between the exterior surface andthe surface feature.
 16. The rotor blade assembly of claim 15, whereinan outer edge of the seal member is tapered between a base surface and atop surface.
 17. The rotor blade assembly of claim 15, wherein the sealmember is formed from one of a rubber or a silicon.
 18. The rotor bladeassembly of claim 15, wherein the surface feature comprises a baseplate, the base plate comprising an exterior mounting surface and anexterior opposing surface, and wherein the seal member provides atransition between the exterior surface of the rotor blade and theexterior opposing surface of the base plate.
 19. The rotor bladeassembly of claim 18, wherein a top surface of the seal member isgenerally flush with the exterior opposing surface of the base plate.20. The rotor blade assembly of claim 15, wherein the seal membersurrounds the entire perimeter of the surface feature.